More people are adopting old dogs — really old dogs

Washington Post ^ | 3/3/2017 | Karin Brulliard

[chrisinoc]

When a German Shepherd rescue organization posted Elmo’s photo online last fall, it made no effort to mask the dog’s problems. He wore a cone around his neck to prevent him from licking the large open sore on his hip. His fungus-ridden feet were swollen. His graying, 11-year-old face held a pathetic, ears-to-the-ground gaze.

Steve Frost, a retired fire captain in Northern California, said he saw the photo and thought Elmo “looked like hell.” He immediately decided he wanted the dog.

[chrisinoc]

I usually refuse to post an article from the Washington Compost but I am one of the adopters of older German shepherds.

My dog Charity was listed as an 11 year old from the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County when I adopted her. Six years later she is still going strong with minimal vet bills and no prescription medications. She is probably closer to 13 years old but still impressive age for a German shepherd.

[dp0622]

That’s great. Adopting an old dog.

Where do i place my number and picture?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“Where do i place my number and picture?”

Right after mine.

;-)

[Mermaid Girl]

A few months after we lost our beloved Ursa to cancer, we adopted a doberman/rott mix at the local shelter. Brilliant, sweet natured boy — and he was seven when we adopted him. Five years later, he’s still a puppy. And still brilliant, and still hilarious.
We were hestitant at first — having just lost a beloved dog — but we don’t regret it. He’s a gem.

[Salamander]

I have dragged home Dobermanns, Ibizans and a Pibble that other people turned away from , in disgust.

Some of the best dogs I ever had.

A couple were elderly.

It did not matter.

Their love and loyalty was always fresh and new.

[chrisinoc]

Here’s some of the older German shepherds from German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. Majority are terrific and trained but can be the only dog as they tend to be overprotective.

Nikki http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/nikki-5/

Chopper http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/chopper/

Samantha http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/samantha-7/

Max the Great http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/max-the-great/

Annie http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/miss-annie/

Orion http://www.gsroc.org/dogs/orion-2/

[Dawgreg]

Old dogs need love too. We lost our shepherd mix a couple of years ago at 17. I’d sure consider adopting an older dog but the 4 we have now will probably outlive us......lol

[lee martell]

I wish I had a yard for a dog. The best case scenario is when your dog or cat is content to be outdoors for a while and indoors at night. Experience reminds me not to get one that gets too lonely and barks all day when I’m at work. I’m in a small rabbit hutch of an apartment. Maybe in the future, if fate allows.

[proud American in Canada]

How wonderful! They are doing God’s work.

I read something lovely a while back, where a dog was the following God around has He named his creatures.

At the end the dog looked up at the Lord and said, is there nothing left for me?

God turned to the dog and said, I saved the best for last for you my friend. I turned my name around and called you dog.

:)

[Celerity]

I rescued specifically old cats. I had one or maybe two. And I would just pet them for a few months until they passed in my lap.

I don’t believe in euthanasia in any context. All these animals want are some good tasting food and to be pet in a quiet setting. If you have that, you have what it takes.

But an old dog also messes really badly, and is ashamed when it does it. So dogs are a different case.

[proud American in Canada]

Doggie ping! :)

[manc]

As much as puppies are great, I don;t have the time anymore, and would like a year old dog either German Shepherd , Belgian Tervuren, or Belgian Malinois.

[Jolla]

Fellers if it was us we would be on day 6 down at the shelter.

[jazminerose]

Oh,good for you! You must be taking wonderful care of your German Shepherd.

I have a huge soft spot for senior dogs. We took in a quasi rescue 8 year old female German Shepherd a few months ago. She’s a beautiful, wonderful, healthy girl. I normally only get working line Shepherds for IPO, but taking Lexi in just felt right.

It’s like she’s been here forever.

I also, many years ago had to pull a Czech Shepherd out of the local shelter. He was a former police K9. I think he was about nine at the time. Very nice dog.

Many blessings to all of you who have rescued senior dogs.

[Salamander]

I also have rescued several “worthless” ancient Boas and nursed them back to health.

Tig is 21, Mercy, only God knows how old she is, came with with an entrenched respiratory infection and horrible scars from starvation, and Lilith came from a WV reptile rescue, age unknown, but I’d put her well into her teens.

Bella had been bred nearly to the point of no return but lived another 4 years with me.

[Salamander]

I will gladly clean dog messes, if it means one more day with them.

[luckystarmom]

Our little 10 lb poodle mix is an indoor lap dog. I never thought I would like a dog, but thought it would be nice for my husband who had cancer and my daughters who were have medical problems to.

It was great for them, but I love our dog too.

When we have to be gone all day, we just get a neighbor to walk her.

I love her!

[jazminerose]

Be sure to learn all you can about the Malinois and the Tervuren before you jump in. Please forgive me if you already know all of this.

Mals are great dogs for work, i.e. K9 or sport, IPO, French Ring, etc. But they do not excel at being housepets. Their drive levels tend to be extreme as is their energy level. The excess drive and energy very often results in a lot of property damage.

They really need a pretty experienced handler. Same goes for the Tervuren.

PM me if you would like some breeder referrals. It’s important to have a healthy, genetically sound dog . Especially if you’re going with one of the three options you cited.

[beaversmom]

At the shelter yesterday, a lady from health care brought in to the grooming room a dog that had been surrendered in the night box by his owners. He was an 11 year old large poodle...possibly a Golden Doodle. He had eaten a 24 pieces of some Valentines' chocolates. He was brought in February 28th. I've never felt so sad for a dog there. His coat was a mess, and he just hung his head down during the whole process of his bath and grooming. He acted like he still felt so rotten from his ordeal. No energy or life in him, and maybe wondering why he had no home any longer.

I gave him a good bath, gently washing his coat several times, and blew him dry on the table. I tried to brush out his fur, but I figured he would need to be shaved as his fur was in short dreadlocks like a shag carpet. I didn't feel comfortable shaving him as I've only shaved one dog there so I waited for another volunteer groomer that was coming in in the afternoon so she could do it. There's nothing she loves better than to shave a dog down. She's not a professional either, but self-taught with her own Golden Doodles from over the years. I stayed late to assist her for that part of the process.

By the end of it, we got him looking lots better. As I was leaving she took him out to go pee and poop and he really seemed to come more alive in the sun. He also ate a couple of (non-chocolate) dog treats toward the end of the groom which was a good sign.

He was going to a foster home yesterday for a week or so to further recuperate, and **I'm sure** some good-hearted person will adopt him from the shelter after his gets back on his feet.

This shelter doesn't put down dogs for age or maladies unless it's some extraordinary case where the animal is just too far gone and really suffering. It's not a no-kill, but their numbers of dogs, cats, and others taken in that get adopted is very HIGH. The vast majority of dogs and cats that get to the shelter get a chance at a new home. They even take in pets from all over the country. It makes me feel wonderful to go in there each week.

[Celtic Conservative]

Ah don’t get me started. Lost my snickers today- 22 years old. Found her this morning, by the heater. Must’ve passed during the night. She was my ex wife’s cat. Left her too when she left me. Ah hell, it’s just as well. She treated pets like appliances rather than the living things they are. Gonna miss that crazy old siamese.

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